Week 1 Reflection

Question: On page 10 of this reading assignment, Tomlinson says, “… we teach responsively when we understand the need to teach the human beings before us as well as to teach the content with which we are charged. … [It] is important to begin with the conviction that we are no longer teaching if what we teach is more important than who we teach or how we teach.” What does this mean to you?

Answer: Reading this chapter really opened my eyes to the world of differentiation. I was able to connect to Tomlinson and see where she was coming from and how important it is for really get to know each one of my students in order to differentiate. I guess it seems so obvious that we would differentiate our teaching but actually putting it into practice is another thing. The quote above really struck me. The biggest fear I have is that I will lose my passion for helping each student succeed because I am worried about of end of year testing and just have to fill my students will the information that they will be tested on. That is the moment where true teaching stops, when you let that fear and pressure take over. I went into teaching with hope for an amazing future generation of students that I get to play a role in developing. When you take the time to KNOW your students, I mean really know what they are thinking and how they learn then you are able to open their minds to learning. If you show them respect, build them up, and set clear and attainable expectations then you can trust that your students will pass tests. The entire high stakes testing method drives me crazy! I will never understand how that can truly give a fair representation of a teachers teaching methods or students knowledge. If we truly embracing the theory of differentiation then we are allowing for effective teaching to enter our classroom. Teachers must teach from the heart and not just a textbook. We forget that we are a beacon of change in our classroom and we can control the climate and dictate the future paths of our students. I take on this challenge with an open heart and can't wait for the journey to begin.

Question: As you look at the field of flowers often the first reaction is, "The hillside is colored with beautiful flowers." Next you might note the yellow, red, lavender, and marvel at how the colors added to the palate a richness that would be lost if all were one color. If you step closer, you will notice that the shape of the petals and foliage may vary for flowers of the same color. But, when you have watched the flowers in that same field over time, you will note stems that now bear seeds and others just bearing buds and the promise of new flowers.

Think about this field of wildflowers as a metaphor for a classroom of children. How does your perspective of the picture change as you look for the uniqueness?

Answer: My future class will be an array of potential. As a whole we will be united like a field of flowers, we will be defined by our race, gender, and ability level, but underneath it all we will be much more then those characteristics. When you first walk into your classroom and meet your students for the first time you immediately begin to start to read your students. They are all new to you and a challenge. You can't go in with preconceived notions of how they will act or what they will look like. You must be open to the differences and search to embrace their uniqueness and help foster that into the classroom community. When you begin to look at each individual flower or student you begin to see how varied your class or field is. You take mental notes of what works with each student and what doesn’t work. Your brain becomes overloaded with little facts about each student. You see them as individuals and not just a member in your class. They begin to bloom as you open up to them. It is like you are the sunlight and water refreshing their life cycle with new facts and empower them through the art of education. You may have 5 different types of flowers in your field and that is the same with students. You see the trends that begin to develop and they friendships that form in your class and help unite everyone. Each individual flower/student adds beauty and significance to the field/class NEVER forget to take the time to break down the field and get to know each flower on an individual level.